It was called the “Economic Miracle,” and Italy’s economic expansion after World War II was so rapid — and her climb from war and poverty to wealth and prosperity so drastic — that one might be tempted to believe that God had in fact deigned to bless Italia with La Dolce Vita… the Sweet Life!

But this “miracle” also triggered unprecedented social, cultural, and religious changes, so this week we’re unpacking those changes with Dr. Roy Domenico, the author of “The Devil and the Dolce Vita: Catholic Attempts to Save Italy’s Soul, 1948-1973.”